Pilot Freight Services has a rich history dating back to 1941 when R.Y. Sharpe purchased a small trucking company called Pennie Transportation and renamed it Pilot Freight Carriers. Initially, the company hauled general commodities between Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and New York City. Over the following decades, Pilot expanded through acquisitions and terminal development, including a significant merger with Mitchell Motor Lines in 1946 and acquiring Arlington Transportation in 1959, which broadened its reach in the Northeast.

In the 1960s, Pilot continued growing by buying more carriers and building terminals, including a large facility in Kernersville, North Carolina[2]. In the early 1980s, Pilot was acquired by TNT, an Australian shipping company, which modernized the carrier despite initial heavy losses.

Separately, Pilot Air Freight was founded in 1970 in Philadelphia, focusing on air freight services. By the 1970s and 1980s, Pilot Air Freight expanded rapidly, opening branches such as the Buffalo, New York location in 1972, growing sales from $7 million in 1979 to $90 million by 1990, and exceeding $100 million in revenues by 1995.

Pilot Freight Services evolved into a full-service transportation and logistics provider specializing in first-, middle-, and final-mile transportation, particularly for big and bulky freight in the U.S. It operates 87 facilities across North America, with offices in Western Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, employing over 2,600 people. The company also expanded its e-commerce capabilities by acquiring American Linehaul, a non-asset expedited LTL provider.

In 2022, Pilot Freight Services was acquired by A.P. Moller – Maersk for $1.8 billion, marking a significant milestone as Maersk expanded from a shipping line into a global logistics company. Today, Pilot operates as a Maersk company, offering comprehensive freight forwarding services across air, ground, and ocean transport, serving over 190 major markets worldwide.

 Summary Timeline
– 1941: R.Y. Sharpe buys Pennie Transportation, renames it Pilot Freight Carriers.
– 1946: Merger with Mitchell Motor Lines expands terminals.
– 1959: Acquires Arlington Transportation, expanding Northeast presence.
– Early 1980s: Acquired by TNT, modernized operations.
– 1970: Pilot Air Freight founded in Philadelphia.
– 1972: Buffalo branch opened by future CEO John Edwards.
– 1995: Revenues exceed $100 million; leadership changes.
– 2000s: Growth in home delivery and expedited freight services.
– 2022: Acquired by Maersk for $1.8 billion, becoming part of a global logistics network.